Murray: I feel as if I’m 18 again!

ANDY UNFAZED BY 832 RANKING

AnDy Murray is beginning the long journey towards the us open, insisting he feels like he is 18 again.

the twice Wimbledon champion, now 31, is aiming to spend the next month cementing the comeback which he tentatively began during the recent grasscourt season.

‘it sort of feels like i am starting from scratch again,’ he told tennis tv. ‘i haven’t been in that position since i was 18 so i’m looking forward to it. it’s going to be hard but it should be fun.’

in the early hours he was due to face american MacKenzie McDonald in the first round of the Citi open in Washington DC, with Kyle edmund awaiting the winner. regardless of the result, Murray believes he is finally on the right track after the hip problems which set in during Wimbledon just over a year ago.

this summer he managed three matches over the Queen’s and eastbourne tournaments, but withdrew from sW19 on the day before the tournament.

‘at the time i didn’t feel like i was quite ready to play five-set matches,’ said Murray. ‘i feel better than i did during the grass season, i’ve had another four weeks training and feel pretty good.’

He is at a lowly 832 in the rankings now, but knows the only way is up, assuming he can manage his hip for the next few years.

‘i really wanted to build up for the american summer and hopefully get ready for the us open. if i am out here losing first round every week, i’m not going to enjoy that as much. it’s not where i want to be ranking-wise but if i win a couple of matches i could move up 300, 400 spots in a week.’

Derby’s Jay Clarke, who turned 20 last week, moved up to 175 in the rankings yesterday after winning the Binghamton Challenger in new york on sunday. Jo Konta also returns to action this week, playing serena Williams in the first round of the Mubadala silicon valley Classic in san Jose.